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Friday, February 28, 2014

Plans under way for Lincoln monument at Northern Virginia Community College

A replica of the Lincoln monument.

The effort to have a monument to commemorate President Lincoln’s Grand Review of the Troops in the Bailey’s Crossroads area is back on track and gaining momentum, although there are still a lot of issues to resolve—and a lot of money that needs to be raised—before it becomes a reality.

The Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac was conducted by Union General George B. McClellan before President Lincoln and members of his cabinet on Nov. 20, 1861. One account put the numbers of troops on the scene as about 70,000. Julia Ward Howe, who was also there, wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” the following day.

Shacknies reports that Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille supports the monument project, as well as the idea of developing a “Lincoln history trail” highlighting significant spots in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax County related to the Lincoln presidency.

The monument has two parts: a statue of Lincoln about six to eight feet high and a bas relief six feet high and 12 feet long that depicts Lincoln, McClellan, Howe, and the troops.

Before the memorial was finished, the sculptor, Ron Tunison, passed away suddenly last October, at age 66. His son, Trevor, also a sculptor, has agreed to complete it. Ironically, Shacknies’ husband, who had been the original inspiration for a sesquicentennial re-enactment of the Grand Review, had also passed away suddenly at age 66 just as the Lincoln project was getting under way. At that point, Shacknies vowed to proceed with the commemoration in his honor.

In 2011, the alliance hosted a series of activities to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Grand Review, including a ceremony with Civil War re-enactors at Fort McNair, a Grand Ball with period music and dancing at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, a history symposium at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., a Lincoln-themed concert at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Bailey’s Crossroads, a history conference and concert at NVCC, a fundraiser at the Kennedy Center, and an exhibit on the Grand Review by schoolchildren at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.

LACTRA had initially hoped to stage the re-enactment on Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads, but that proved too cumbersome. Also, initial plans to place the monument near Target at the Skyline Center also fell through, but Shacknies is pleased that the NVCC location, although a bit farther from where the actual event took place, will draw lots of foot traffic.

Now that there is a plan for the monument, “we need to secure the land and raise the money for completing it,” Shacknies said. “There are all kinds of challenges that have to be met before it happens.” The whole process has been “one step forward and two steps backward.”

LATCRA will have to raise about half a million dollars to get the monument completed and installed, which should take about three years. The project has already gotten financial support from the Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation, other organizations, and individual donors, and Schacknies is hopeful that the project will draw more contributions and volunteers as the plans move forward.

Because the NVCC campus belongs to the state, the NVCC Educational Foundation has to request that land for the monument be donated to the NVCC Foundation, she said. That transfer, which has to be approved by the General Assembly, will take about 18 months. The spot proposed for the statute is near the Bisdorf Building and is next to a parking lot where the foundation is planning to build a dorm for international students.

Having the monument as the starting point for a Lincoln trail would be a huge boost for the project—and also could promote tourism and economic development throughout the area. Getting the governments of Arlington and Alexandria involved would attract more support. Shacknies is especially heartened by Euille’s support, as Alexandria has so much experience with history-based tourism.

While the re-enactment and other events in 2011 brought public attention to the Grand Review and Bailey’s Crossroads’ role in the Civil War, the memories of those events eventually fade. Having a monument as a permanent reminder of the history that took place here is crucial, Shacknies said. “I am committed to this and will do my very best to see it happen, even if it takes years,” she said.

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Braddock Road survey

Commuters who use the Braddock Road corridor between Guinea Road and the beltway are encouraged to take an online survey conducted by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

The survey is part of the Braddock Road Multimodal Study, which is exploring improvements for the corridor, including widening Braddock Road and a transit center near the Kings Park Shopping Center. A task force made up of local residents has been providing input on the study.

Connolly's art contest

High school students who live in Virginia’s 11th congressional district are encouraged to participate in Rep. Gerry Connolly’s annual Congressional Art Competition: An Artistic Discovery. Connolly is accepting artwork entries at his Annandale and Prince William district offices until April 20. Contest guidelines are online.

Winners will be announced at a reception and awards ceremony for all contest participants and their families May 9 at the Workhouse Arts Center’s McGuire Woods Gallery in Lorton. The top winner will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and will be invited to a reception at the Capitol.

Annandale HS mulch sale

The Annandale High School PTSA is selling shredded natural, dark brown, hardwood mulch to raise funds for the Class of 2016 All-Night Graduation Celebration. Orders are due April 3. Mulch can be ordered online or you can download an order form.

It’s $5 a bag if delivered to your house. Mulch will be delivered on April 11 with a minimum order of 10 bags within the Annandale HS pyramid, Ravensworth, and Wakefield Chapel communities. Mulch is $4.50 per bag if picked up at the school (April 5, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the back parking lot).

April 7 - Free workshop: How to Apply for a Federal Job; co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Business Development Assistance Group, Heritage Center, 7611 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, first floor conference rooms A/B and C/D, 10 a.m.-noon.

April 7 - Avoid the Anarchy: Planning, Conducting and Adjourning the Successful Meeting, a free event for community and HOA leaders sponsored by the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, Fairfax County Government Center, Rooms 4-5, 6:30-9 p.m.

April 8 - Fostering Communication in the Home, a workshop for parents of children with low-incidence disabilities of autism, intellectual disabilities, or physical disabilities, FCPS Gatehouse Administrative Center, 10-11:30 a.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. To register, contact Liane Sprunk, 571- 423-4110.

April 8 - Invest in Fairfax Rally, organized by a colition of businesses, nonprofits, human services providers, and library advocates, Fairfax County Government Center, 5 p.m.

April 8 - Braddock District Council of Community Associations Legislative Forum, Braddock Hall, 7:30 p.m.

April 9 - Annandale Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, Juke Box Diner, 7039 John Marr Drive, Annandale, noon-1:30 p.m. The speaker is former Redskin Ken Harvey. $20 for chamber members, $25 at the door. RSVP by April 7 to info@annandalechamber.com.

April 9, 10 & 11 - Broadway Desserts, Annandale High School, Watson Auditorium, 7 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. There will also be a 2 p.m. show on Saturday with performances by the Holmes and Poe middle school choirs. That show is $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

April 10 - Late Night in the Virginia Room: Focus on the Civil War, an evening of classes and independent research, City of Fairfax Regional Library, 5:30-11 p.m. Free